Joint operation by the IGAE and the PN in Ribeira Grande de Santiago uncovers illegal production of grogue

Praia, 11 September (Inforpress) – A joint operation by the IGAE and the National Police identified on Tuesday, in Ribeira Grande de Santiago, a facility producing aguardente outside the legal period, with tampered seals and using refined sugar, it was announced today.

In a post on its official page, the Inspectorate-General for Economic Activities (IGAE) reported that the seals on the still in question had been broken to allow for the distillation of juice extracted from green sugarcane that was still in the ripening stage.

The regulatory authority explained that the use of green sugarcane entails adding refined sugar to sweeten the juice, resulting in the production of illicitly manufactured spirits that are subsequently sold as *grogue*. 

In the view of the IGAE, this practice contributes to the devaluation of genuine grogue, produced from sugar cane under conditions stipulated by law.

TC/CP

Inforpress/End